Thursday, December 31, 2009

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

As we move away from the old societal structures, how we learn and process information is likely going to change. The one shoe fits all approach will give way to a more diverse learning model, especially as education will truly become a necessary lifetime endeavor.

One of the more interesting approaches I've come across is The Kahn Academy, a not-for-profit organization with its mission “of providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere.” With over 1,000 videos, covering everything from basic arithmetic to evolutionary biology, The Kahn Academy provides a virtual and free education across the globe. This site is definitely worth visiting. You can look through the various videos. Go to http://www.khanacademy.org/ The Kahn Academy.

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Annual Global Climate Risk Index for 2010 has just been released. The index shows the vulnerability of each country in the world and the financial costs of climate change. In terms of potential financial loss, the U.S., according to the report, ranks number one on the index. The methodology and the limitation of the report are explained on pp 4 and 13. See http://www.preventionweb.net/files/11973_GlobalClimateRiskIndex2010.pdf Risk Index 2010

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Frontline World has a terrific video piece on one of the first “carbon preserves” in the world located in Brazil. As carbon trading begins to take shape, large international corporations look for ways to develop carbon “offsets.” It's how this particular story in one of the most biodiverse forests along Brazil's Atlantic coast started.

It has become a clash of the numerous stakeholders, from indigenous people to farmers, from the black market to preservation, from food to climate change. It is an important story because we are trying to balance how we can survive and prosper on this one planet together. Go to http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/carbonwatch/moneytree/ Brazil: The Money Market

Monday, December 14, 2009

Like it or not, for the time being, environmental journalists and climate scientists cannot ignore the continual mischief, cherry picking, and outright lies of the climate change denialists. In addition to doing a better job explaining climate change to the general public and actively supporting a far stronger science curriculum in schools, scientists and journalists need to demonstrate how climate denial more often than not has little to do with actual science. Too much is at stake.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Yes, hunger is a very real problem in America and getting worse. Here is a way communities and backyard gardeners can help. It may seem like a small endeavor but it's a path toward feeding people and building resilient communities throughout the country. Go to http://www.ampleharvest.org/index.php Ample Harvest

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Is the key cultural change? Marketing people and advertisers have been studying consumer behavior for well over 50 years. In fact, mass marketing began in the United States in the 1920s. Advertisers have to know why what people buy what stuff. Mistakes are costly.

It's the broad areas of environment and energy that have lagged way behind the “detergent” aisle. We've all heard the familiar complaint: “Why don't they get it, we've given them information and handed out brochures. Can't they see it?” Of course we are now beginning to understand a little better just who can not see. We have perhaps met the enemy.

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About Me

"We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes--something known only to her and to the mountains." (Aldo Leopold, "Thinking Like a Mountain")
"We are the rich. We own America. We got it, God knows how, but we intend to keep it." (Frederick Townsend Martin, 19th century plutocrat)